Franchot Calls On Towson President To Quit

Franchot Calls On Towson President To Quit

Comptroller Peter Franchot calls on Towson University's president to resign in comments made at a Board of Public Works Meeting. Download This File

Zach Fisher is one of a number of Towson University baseball players who testified today. (Photo by WBAL's Robert Lang)

Brendan Butler is a Towson University sophomore and member of the baseball team, who attended today's Board of Public Works Meeting. Download This File

Towson University Alumni Association President and former Baltimore Blast player Lance Johnson testifies before the Board of Public Works. Download This File

Towson University Professor Richard E. Vatz and MD Comptroller Peter Franchot joined the C4 Show Thursday to talk about the situation. Download This File

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot is calling on the president of Towson University to resign, claiming she has "forfeited her claim to moral leadership" for the way she has handled the elimination of two men's sports at the university.

Franchot's comments came during a meeting of the Maryland Board of Public Works, which has yet to vote on the university's request to build a classroom building in Harford County, because of concerns raised by both the comptroller and Governor Martin O'Malley, who chairs the board.

Franchot has criticised University President Maravene Loeschke for her decision to eliminate baseball and men's soccer. Last month, Loeschke argued that the decision was based on financial concerns and concerns over compliance with Title IX, the federal law requiring universities to offer euqal opportunities for male and female athletes.

"It is with a heavy heart, that it's in the best interest of Towson University that she should resign," Franchot added.

His comments were met with applause from about two dozen Towson University athletes, parents of athletes and alumni that attended the meeting.

The Maryland General Assembly this year approved $300,000 in the capital budget that would go to the University System of Maryland which could then use the money to help restore the baseball team.

The team would then be forced to raise $100,000 by the end of June to keep the team operating, and more money next year.

A number of baseball players told WBAL News that no other team is required to raise money to continue its operations.

A number of alumni of the men's soccer team also criticized the university for taking no steps to restore soccer.

Lance Johnson, a former university and Baltimore Blast soccer player told the Board that the teams have been victims of "mismanagement" by the athletic department.

Loeschke was originally supposed to be at the meeting, but a spokeswoman told Maryland's Morning News Contributor Bryan Sears that she would not attend the meeting.

O'Malley told reporters last week that Leoschke didn't have to attend, because she has met privately with both he and the comptroller..